By Elizabeth Cadell

When I think of an Elizabeth Cadell book, this is the type of book I think of. It’s set in sunny Portugal as many of her books are and involves a nice heroine (sometimes it is the hero) who is engaged to the wrong person who is usually extremely unpleasant. This one also features an eccentric old lady, as many of her books do.

Upon the death of her grandparents, Emma Challis took the self-serving advice of her Godfather and moved to London. Alone and friendless, she fell into an engagement with her Godfather’s son, Gerald Delmont, a prominent fashionable attorney. Unfortunately, Gerald is a boor and almost deliciously nasty. In 2024 he would be labeled a metrosexual type, and not in a good way. Of course, that word hadn’t been invented yet when this book was written in 1970. So why does the beautiful, good-humored, and likable Emma put up with him? It’s hard to explain, except that she is too kind-hearted for her own good. But I couldn’t get too frustrated with her. Despite putting up with his petulance and bossiness, Emma pretty much goes her own way and does have a mind of her own when push comes to shove. Plus, We know from the beginning that their marriage will not take place. It’s Elizabeth Cadell, and we know that Emma will meet and fall in love with someone much more suitable.

When Emma goes up to Yorkshire on business of her own, Gerald asks her to pry a “Lady Grantly” away from her father’s neighborhood where she has bought a house. The possible soon-to-be neighbors despise each other and Gerald wants her resettled in London for his father’s convenience and peace of mind. But when Emma and the delightfully dotty Lady Grantly meet, it is almost love at first sight. They are kindred spirits, even though Lady Grantly is vocally horrified when she finds out that Emma is engaged to the disagreeable Gerald. Not adverse to moving, but yearning to recapture her happy youth in sunny climes, the very wealthy Lady Grantly (with the help of astrology and cards) decides to move to Portugal, not London. Much to Gerald’s distress, Emma decides to accompany her to make sure she gets there safely and is set up comfortably. Portugal is a revelation to the sheltered Emma. In addition to enjoying Lady Grantly, she loves the people, the climate, the countryside, and Mrs. Grantly’s lovely house and garden by the seaside. As the days go by, She realizes she is not only relishing not being in London, but also away from Gerald.

When a family of squatters, a woman and her 5 children, set up residence in a moving crate in Lady Grantly’s garden, it all comes to a head. It turns out they might have a legitimate claim to the house! Emma’s deadline to return to her old life has arrived but she can’t leave Portugal and Lady Grantly now! She is dispatched to enlist the help of Lady Grantly’s half-English local lawyer. Their encounter is maddening and then hilarious. Emma has met her match and thank goodness, he has Lady Grantly’s seal of approval. When Gerald shows up to drag Emma back to London and her duties as his fiance, the inevitable happy ending is not far behind.

This is a sunny tale both literally and figuratively. Breezy, charming, and old-fashioned, it was a delight. But if you’re looking for a high-stakes nail-biter or a complex thought-provoking emotional drama, this isn’t for you. Save it for when you need a peaceful comforting trip to another time and place.